CHAPTER 1537: CHAPTER 1537: FRUSTRATION

In the main courtyard, Zhulan had hardly read a few lines from her book when Zhao Shi came in with a letter. "Mother, Yushuang has written back."

Zhulan put down her book and asked, "What did she say?"

Zhao Shi smiled, "The child has been named Gu Zhaoxi. She also said that Lady Hu won’t be returning until the child turns one. She wants me to help send food from the Gu Manor to Zhangzhou Province."

"Liufeng chose a good name."

"Yes, it was his turn to pick the name this time."

Zhulan wrote down the name with her brush. "Yushuang and the child both need proper nutrition. I’ll have Eldest Son catch a few sheep and send them along."

Zhao Shi remarked, "The Gu Manor has raised plenty; they’ll have enough to eat."

"The Gu family is the Gu family; our gesture is ours."

Zhao Shi thought for a moment and said, "I want to send more coal and furs along as well. The weather is too cold."

Zhulan listened to the roaring wind outside the window. "It really is cold. Preparing extra is indeed wise."

Zhao Shi mulled over what else her daughter might need. Thinking of her son-in-law, her smile deepened. "The county Liufeng governs has left its people with spare money this year. Yushuang mentioned that the population in the county seat has grown, and the townsfolk are grateful to Liufeng. Many have sent fish and vegetables to the Government Office."

Zhulan felt very relieved, "The people are sharp-eyed and always recognize virtue. Liufeng has earned their respect."

"Indeed."

If her husband hadn’t mentioned not flaunting their cooperation with the Liu family too openly, she might have been tempted to brag about her son-in-law.

At noon, Lin Qing stayed for lunch. The girls and Lin Qing were very comfortable together. Lin Qing initially planned to leave in the afternoon, but Yu Die stopped her. Lin Qing, having something on her mind, stayed until the time for dismissal from school.

When Ming Rui returned, he learned from the young servant that Lin Qing had come. His steps towards his courtyard paused, and he turned instead to meet his fiancée.

Before he reached the door, he heard the sound of a zither. He walked quickly inside, and sure enough, Yu Die was playing the zither with his fiancée sitting beside her, both listening and offering pointers. Ming Rui, with his keen eyes, immediately noticed his fiancée’s slightly swollen fingers.

The maid greeted him, and Ming Rui nodded. He saw Lin Qing blushing as she stood up, while his sister waved at him cheerfully.

Lin Qing felt a bit awkward; she hadn’t left because she wanted to see her fiancé. "You’re back."

Ming Rui sat down. "You may all sit."

Yu Die sighed softly. Her own brother was far from Liu Yuanbo’s level of perfection. No matter how good-looking he was, she would never like someone with such a temper. Her future husband, on the other hand, was wonderful—attentive and caring. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but touch her Jade Pendant, a gift Warm Jade had crafted and Yuanbo had given her when the weather turned cold.

Lin Qing pointed at the teapot. "This is freshly brewed tea; try it."

Ming Rui responded with a hum, poured himself a cup, and took a sip. He paused. "You brewed this?"

"Yes, what do you think?"

Ming Rui’s lips curved into a smile. "Very good."

His own sister’s tea-brewing could hardly compare.

Yu Die thought to herself that Lin Qing must have brewed tea deliberately, waiting for Ming Rui to arrive. She certainly couldn’t match the thoughtfulness of her future sister-in-law. Tsk, tsk—her brother was truly fortunate. No wonder their mother adored her future daughter-in-law so much; she clearly held Ming Rui entirely in her heart.

After sitting for a while, Ming Rui asked his fiancée about her recent activities, then got up and left.

Lin Qing felt a little disappointed but rallied her spirits and said, "It’s getting late; I’d better head back."

Yu Die stood up, "I’ll walk you out."

Just as they stepped outside, they saw Ming Rui returning, holding a bottle of medicine. Yu Die grinned slyly and didn’t offer to escort Lin Qing further.

Ming Rui handed over the bottle. "I noticed needle pricks on your fingers. This ointment is effective. Come on, I’ll take you back."

Lin Qing’s initially dim eyes brightened, and she held the medicine bottle tightly, her smile radiant. "Alright."

Ming Rui’s gaze flickered for a moment, but he said nothing.

The next day, during morning court, Zhou Shuren was momentarily distracted when someone suddenly collapsed, startling him greatly. He turned around and saw the person still on the ground, unconscious.

The Emperor’s expression grew dark. "Summon the Imperial Physician."

When Zhou Shuren and others flipped the person over, they realized who it was. This was someone who had been recognized this year for their exemplary frugality—a person who, however unconventional, had managed to catch the Emperor’s attention from relative obscurity.

The Imperial Physician arrived promptly but looked bewildered after diagnosing the patient, unsure how to report the findings. Could he really say the minister had fainted from hunger?

The Crown Prince, discerning the Imperial Physician’s dilemma, stepped forward. "Take Mr. Qi to the side hall to rest."

The Imperial Physician exhaled in relief and left with the guards. The Crown Prince followed, and upon learning the truth—that the minister had indeed fainted from hunger—his own face darkened.

The morning court session ended quickly. Mr. Qi regained consciousness, and the Emperor kept him behind while the other ministers departed, intrigued but unwilling to linger.

Wong Ju sidled up gossiping, "What’s this all about?"

Qiu Yan shrugged, "No matter how frugal, he wouldn’t lack food and drink. Surely he didn’t faint from hunger?"

Zhou Shuren said firmly, "Remove ’surely’ and ’wouldn’t’ from your sentence."

It was obviously hunger; the Imperial Physician’s hesitation had made that clear.

Qiu Yan’s eyes widened. "This is going too far. Before, they would showcase their frugality, but fasting...?"

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. "No matter what, Mr. Qi achieved his goal today. Look, he’s been kept behind."

Wong Ju squinted. "The autumn harvest just ended recently. This year’s frugality did free up more food resources. Is he trying to make a statement?"

Zhou Shuren praised him with a glance. "I’m guessing Mr. Qi indulged in a bout of tears; he knew he couldn’t stand up in court like Elder Wen did last year and propose donating grain. He found another way. We’d better head back and calculate how much grain we’re donating."

Wong Ju, "..."

Qiu Yan, "..."

Why did this feel so frustrating?

Zhou Shuren wasn’t bothered. If it hadn’t been Mr. Qi today, it would have been someone else. This year’s grain would certainly be donated. If the Wen family hadn’t feared stirring outrage by proposing successive donations, they’d have brought it up already.

The following morning at court, Zhou Shuren maintained a stoic expression as he listened to Mr. Qi sob. Weeping about reduced harvests in his hometown, explaining how he had sent grain back there—his theatrics rivaled those of an opera singer.

The Emperor, whose expression had soured yesterday, looked visibly moved today.

The other ministers grew colder the more they listened.

Eventually, the Emperor decreed that donations should be made as individuals saw fit. This year’s results, at least, were more reasonable: Mr. Qi pledged One Hundred Stones. The ministers’ faces relaxed slightly.

Mr. Qi wasn’t foolish. Without the confidence to donate much but unwilling to offer too little, he avoided resentment while still gaining advantages; One Hundred Stones was the perfect amount.

After the court session, Qiu Yan was visibly unimpressed with Mr. Qi. Seeing his satisfied expression, he snorted coldly.

Zhou Shuren patted Qiu Yan’s shoulder. "If it hadn’t been him today, it would’ve been someone else. The Emperor understands."

Qiu Yan grumbled, "I just feel stifled. Their efforts to showcase frugality have skewed its purpose, and now with this grain donation... it’s suffocating."

Zhou Shuren mused that there’d always be such people. "Think of it differently; the donated grain will enter the national treasury and bolster the Ministry of Revenue."

Qiu Yan’s mood improved significantly.

At the Zhou household, Zhulan listened to her daughter’s report with unwavering calm.

Xue Han looked surprised. "Mother, aren’t you shocked?"